Chemistry Lab Technologist alumnus comes home to Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Professional and personal experience are assets when assisting students.

Not only does Darshil Koshti have the technical skills and professional experience required in his role as a chemistry laboratory technologist, his personal journey also helps him relate to students at Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

Koshti came to Canada from India in 2013 looking to further his education. “Canada presented many good opportunities for my future,” he says.

Employment rates and a high standard of living attracted Koshti to Saskatchewan where he completed the Chemical Technology diploma program in 2015. The instruction and knowledge he gained at Sask Polytech helped him land a job in his industry where he worked at the Saskatchewan Research Council following convocation. After gaining experience in the industry, an opportunity to return to Sask Polytech came up. In January 2021, he began his role as the chemistry laboratory technologist where he facilitates student learning in the chemistry lab at Moose Jaw Campus.

“It’s nice to give back to the organization that helped me stand on my own two feet in Canada,” he says. Koshti drew from his experience in the industry to set up a new lab on campus. “The planning, design and development of a new lab for students requires the expertise and experience of someone who has been involved with a similar project in the industry.”

Now, Koshti is pleased to be part of student learning in his current role assisting students. In addition to supporting students in Civil Engineering Technologies and Environmental Engineering Technology programs at Moose Jaw Campus, Koshti also works as a learning service instructor aide assisting students in various programs including those in the School of Health Sciences and the Adult Basic Education program.

“When you are helping a student and they suddenly say ‘Oh’ it’s gratifying. It’s like sharing the wow factor in their understanding,” he says. “I enjoy helping students understand the material. With science and math there are a lot of concepts that need to be learned. My hope is that I can help students gain the knowledge that they need to build on as they continue their studies.”

Koshti can also pull from his experience as an international student to assist students in similar situations.

“Through my experience as an international student I’m able to connect to the situations international students are going through,” he says. He’s had many conversations about the weather, culture and language in his new home and is happy to help international students access the resources available to them. “Sask Polytech has a lot of supports and services available for students. Help is available.”

Koshti says he felt welcome as a student at Sask Polytech and that feeling has continued. Not only does Koshti feel at home at Sask Polytech, he’s also pleased to call Canada his home, officially.

“My colleagues make me feel like family,” he says. “I am very happy here – both at Sask Polytech and Canada.”

October 2022